Griz

Griz is a Michigan-born electronic music producer and musician known for a style he describes as “future funk”, combining glitchy electronic production with dubstep bass, jazz, hip-hop and soul. He is also associated with dubstep, glitch-hop, chillout and instrumental music.

Early life and background

Grant Kwiecinski is born in Southfield, Michigan in 1990. He begins playing alto saxophone and piano as a youth, and later drops out of Michigan State University to pursue music full time.

Recording career

His debut album, End of the World Party, is released in 2011 on Mochipet’s Daly City label. The record uses many samples and leans towards downtempo styles, gaining attention online. In 2012 he releases Mad Liberation as a self-released album, followed in 2013 by Rebel Era, which takes a more socially conscious direction.

His fourth album, Say It Loud, appears in 2015 and features numerous guest vocalists, including Talib Kweli and Ivan Neville. It also includes more live instrumentation and moves towards a vintage funk sound while staying contemporary. He continues this organic funk approach on Good Will Prevail in 2016, which includes guest appearances from Eric Krasno, Big Gigantic, Muzzy Bear and others.

Live work and reputation

Griz builds a large live following, regularly appearing at major festivals and headlining sold-out tours. He also supports touring electronic acts such as Bassnectar and Pretty Lights, which helps expand his audience.